Braque d'Auvergne - Auvergne Pointer

The Auvergne Pointer or Braque d'Auvergne would come from uncertain origins(background) which would go back up according to some to the Middle Ages, where the Knight Templars would have returned him of crusade. According to others, it is the Knights of Malta who would have introduced him in France at the end of the 18th century. It is likely that the race comes down from the old French Pointer and from the successive crossings, in particular with the Pointer. The first breeders were Inhabitants of the Auvergne and it is for that reason that this name was attributed to him in the course of the centuries.

Of short hair and strong constitution, he shows a very big energy. Fast and active, he knows how to adapt himself to all the environments. Endowed with an excellent nose, he stops(arrests) farm and indeed relates. Renowned hunter of woodcock, he is also a specialist of young partridges and partridges. Faithful and affectionate, with a flexible character although a little bit stubborn, he is a quiet and pleasant companion. His education will be firm but without brutality.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : The Auvergne pointer is a very ancient breed, present in the Cantal region for more than two centuries. Descending from a multi-pointer common source, derivation has been made by a selection to which the Knights of Malta might have participated. Created by and for hunters, it has a strong identity reinforced by its coat.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : Rectilinear, of medium proportions. Robust dog, strongly boned, but without heaviness, showing a characteristic Braque type, lightness in its gait, with elegance enhanced by the coat and harmonious proportions. Its conformation predisposes it to cover long distances with a supple-action, permitting it to maintain its activity the whole day on the most difficult terrains.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS :
• Body :
The length of the body (from the point of the shoulder to the
point of the buttock) is approximately equal to the height at
the withers.
The depth of the chest equals half the height of the dog at the
withers.
• Head :
Length of the muzzle slightly less or equal to the length of the
skull.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Gentle dog, very affectionate, intelligent and obedient. Its training consists mainly of developing its natural qualities. Its sense of smell is powerful. It adapts well to family life.

HEAD

CRANIAL REGION :
Skull and muzzle : The lines of the skull are slightly divergent towards the front (a characterized braque).
The head is long, proportional to the size, somewhat lighter with the females.
Seen from above, the shape of the skull is nearly oval. The occipital protuberance is only slightly prominent.
The skull width between the zygomatic arches is equal to its length.
Superciliary arches : Well pronounced.
Stop : Moderately marked.

FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Always black, relatively broad, shiny, with well-open nostrils. Its upper profile is in prolongation of that of the muzzle.
Muzzle : Length close to that of the skull. The muzzle is level.
Lips : Relatively important. The upper lip overlaps the lower. Neat commissure, without important inner fold. Seen from the front, the lips form a square end to the muzzle.
Jaws/Teeth : Sturdy, of equal length. The teeth are strong. Scissors bite or level bite.
Eyes : Relatively large, oval, of dark hazel colour, well set in the orbit, giving an expressive candid and kind look.
The well pigmented eyelid does not allow the conjunctiva to be seen.
Ears : Attached rather towards the rear. At rest, the ear is set below a line running from the upper level of the nose to the eye. When attentive, the ear may move up to that line. Turned slightly inward, neither curled nor flat, the ear is supple and slightly satiny.
The tip is fairly round. Drawn forward, it should reach the root of the nose, without going further than the tip.

NECK : Relatively long, well inserted between the shoulders, slightly arched. Presence of a slight dewlap. The length of the neck is roughly equal to that of the head.

TAIL : Set rather high. It should be carried horizontally. Cylindrical and not too fine. Docked, it has a length of 15 to 20 cm (6” to 8”). Undocked, it reaches the point of the hocks without going further.

LIMBS : They are in line with the body.

FOREQUARTERS : Upright to the ground.
Shoulders : Strong, well muscled, quite free in action. Sloping at 45°.
Elbow: Well in the axis of the body.
Forearm : Strong and long, muscular and straight.
Carpus (Carpal joint) : Strong without knots.
Metacarpus (Pastern) : Short, slightly inclined seen in profile.

HINDQUARTERS : Well angled, they work in parallel planes.
Upper thigh : Well muscled.
Hock : Lean and well defined.
Metatarsus (Rear pastern) : Short and never too thin.

FEET : A little longer than what’s called a « cat food » and a little shorter than a « hare foot ». Turned neither inward nor outward.
The nails are strong and short; the pads are hard and resistant; the toes are tightly knit.

GAIT / MOVEMENT : Movement of average amplitude but with a sustained rhythm which confers its notorious endurance to the dog. Its habitual hunting gait is an average gallop, regular and slightly rocking.

SKIN : Fine enough, rather loose without exaggeration.

COAT

HAIR : Short, not too fine, never hard, shiny.

COLOUR : Black with white markings of variable importance.
The particularity of the marking generates two recognized types : Flecked or Greying. This difference cannot be used to separate two subjects of the same quality.
The head should be black preferably with a white blaze on the muzzle extending to the skull. The white of that blaze can extend laterally on the muzzle.
A white and flecked ear or the side of the head white and flecked cannot be considered as faults.

SIZE :
Height at withers (with for both sexes a tolerance of + 2 cm and
– 1 cm) :
Males : 57 to 63 cm (22.5" to 24.8") (60 cm – 23.6" – ideal height).
Females : 53 to 59 cm (20.9" to 23.2") (56 cm – 22 " – ideal height).
FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
• Parallel lines of skull and muzzle.
• Head too loaded under the eyes.
• Apparent conjunctiva.

English Springer Spaniel

Resulting from England, he was used, originally, with the aim of finding and making the game leave intended for the net, for the hawk or for the greyhound, but at the moment, his function is to find, to raise and to bring back the game for the hunter.

Springer is a dog which likes pleasing and carrying out all which is possible to return his happy boss, it is a extremely pleasant dog. Of docile and very active temperament, it is a perfect companion for the active family so much hunter or not. It is rather easy to live, extremely lively of spirit, he learns very fast and with a crazy pleasure.

Always loan for a walk, the springer is almost infatigiable, be as winter it will follow you in the walking in wood as in snowshoe and in cross-country skiing. He needs all the same a firm education because he has a big tendency has to manipulate people as soon as the opportunity appears.

It will again be necessary to plan some years to see 2 years or more before producing at home of the field bred English Springer Spaniel.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : Breed is of ancient and pure origins, oldest of sporting gundogs; original purpose was finding and springing game for net, falcon or greyhound. Now used to find, flush and retrieve game for gun.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : Symmetrically built, compact, strong, merry, active. Highest on leg and raciest in build of all British land Spaniels.

CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Of medium length, fairly broad, slightly rounded, rising from foreface, making a brow or stop, divided by fluting between eyes, dying away along forehead towards occipital bone which should not be prominent.

TAIL : Previously customarily docked.
Docked : Set low, never carried above level of back. Well feathered with lively action.
Undocked : Set low, never carried above level of back. Well feathered with lively action. In balance with the rest of the dog.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs straight and well boned.
Shoulders : Sloping and well laid.
Elbows : Set well to body.
Pasterns : Strong, flexible.

GAIT / MOVEMENT : Strictly his own. Forelegs swing straight forward from shoulder, throwing feet well forward in an easy free manner. Hocks driving well under body, following in line with forelegs. At slow movement may have a pacing stride typical of this breed.

COLOUR : Liver and white, black and white, or either of these colours with tan markings.

SIZE : Approximate height at withers : 51 cm (20 ins).

FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.